It was Monday morning at Westbridge International School, and the students in Grade 11 were already tired. Final project deadlines were getting closer, teachers were giving extra homework, and everyone seemed to be thinking about exams, university, or both.
Maya sat in the library with a history book open in front of her, but she was too distracted to read. Across from her, Leo was drawing on a piece of paper instead of working.
“You know,” Maya said quietly, “if you spent half as much time studying as you spend making jokes, your reputation with teachers would improve.” Leo smiled. “My reputation is fine. It’s my grades that are in danger.”
Before Maya could reply, she noticed something strange inside her book. A folded piece of paper was sticking out from between two pages. She looked around, then slowly pulled it out. “What is it?” Leo asked.
Maya opened the note. There were only seven words written in dark blue ink: Meet me in Cedar Hall after school.
Leo’s expression changed immediately. “That’s not funny.” “I didn’t write it,” Maya said.
Cedar Hall was the oldest building on the school campus. A long time ago, classes had been held there, but now it was mostly abandoned. Students only used the main floor for storage, and there were constant rumours about locked rooms, hidden records, and forgotten school secrets.
At lunch, Maya showed the note to Sara and Adam. Sara looked concerned. “This is exactly the kind of thing people should avoid.” Adam, who was new to the school, took the note and studied it carefully. “There’s no name. No explanation. No evidence that it was meant for Maya.”
Leo leaned back in his chair. “That makes it even more suspicious.” Sara lowered her voice. “Last year, someone said they heard whispers in Cedar Hall at night.” Leo laughed. “Yes, and someone also said the vending machine on the third floor was haunted.”
But Maya noticed Adam was still looking at the note. “What?” she asked. He hesitated. “This handwriting looks familiar.”
After their final lesson, the school speakers made an announcement about safety on campus. For some reason, it made Maya even more nervous. As students filled the corridors and began heading home, she stood by her locker, thinking.
“We are not actually going, right?” Sara asked. Maya looked at the folded note in her hand. “I think,” she said slowly, “that we need to find out who wrote this.” Leo gave a dramatic sigh. “Excellent. A terrible decision. I’m in.” Adam nodded. “We should investigate before we decide anything else.” Sara crossed her arms. “I still think this is a bad idea.”
Maya looked toward the far end of the campus, where the windows of Cedar Hall reflected the weak afternoon light. For the first time that day, school did not feel ordinary anymore.